University of Florida

Dietetic Internships

Application Process

In order to become a registered dietitian (RD), an accredited dietetics internship providing a minimum of 900 hours of supervised practice experience must be completed. Dietetics students who plan to apply for internships should begin making preparations early in their college careers in order to increase their chances of receiving an appointment to an internship. This page provides the answers to common questions about internships and the application process.

What are the characteristics of a successful applicant for the supervised practice programs?

a successful applicant to a supervised practice program (DI) starts long before students complete application forms. Although programs may have varying selection criteria, applicants who receive appointments to supervised practice programs tend to have the following characteristics:
Cumulative grade point average of 3.2 or higher
A 3.2 GPA in professional courses
Significant paid or volunteer experience in dietetics related field
A 3.0 GPA in biological and physical sciences

In addition to these characteristics, strong letters of recommendation, leadership in organizations, and willingness to relocate are also important.

 

After receiving my BS degree in dietetics from the University of Florida, will I be a Registered Dietitian?

No! Completion of a CADE accredited Didactic Program in Dietetics like the UF program is only the first step required to become a Registered Dietitian.

The second step is the completion of an accredited dietetic internship. This follows the completion of the Didactic Program and the minimum of a Bachelor's degree. Students need to be well informed that receiving an appointment to a supervised practice program is very competitive, and there are no guarantees that any one student will receive an appointment.

The third and final step to becoming an RD is successful completion of the National Registration Examination for Dietitians.

Does the University of Florida offer a DI Program?

Yes, a Combined Master's Degree - Dietetic Internship (MS-DI) Program is offered at the University of Florida to students desiring to become registered dietitians and obtain an advanced degree. The program includes graduate courses and supervised practice experience. There are three emphasis areas: General, Sports, and Research. Students may choose a thesis or non-thesis option. The graduate curriculum emphasizes the science of nutrition and advanced medical nutrition therapy. Diverse research opportunities supervised by nationally recognized experts in nutrition enhance the program. The supervised practice experience provides a foundation in the primary areas of dietetic practice: food systems management, clinical dietetics, and community nutrition. Once the basic core experiences have been satisfactorily completed, students select specialty rotations in areas of personal interest such as pediatrics, diabetes, wellness, sports nutrition, nutrition support, and advanced food systems management. Students desiring careers that require advanced education in nutritional science and/or a background in research should consider applying to our program. Graduates of the DPD at the University of Florida are encouraged to apply.

Where can I find more information about supervised practice programs?

ADA's website provides the most up-to-date information on the programs. On this site, there is a listing of each program and information on costs, length of internship, and links to contact programs directly.

Another resource is the "Applicant Guide to Supervised Practice Experience Program", a valuable tool that describes many of the supervised practice experience programs that are available. The Guide provides detailed information such as the usual number of applications received by individual programs and answers to frequently asked questions. This Guide is available for review in 467 FSHN building.

Finally, there is a Fall and Spring workshop offered. The first Fall workshop covers the internship application process and the second workshop addresses writing the “letter of intent”. Students are encouraged to attend in their sophomore or junior year, but you are required to attend in your senior year if you intend to apply for dietetic internships. The Spring workshop is targeted to junior students exploring the internship process.

 

How much does a supervised practice program cost?

Costs vary widely, so a student should check with each program about required expenses. Most accredited Dietetic Internships associated with regionally accredited university graduate programs qualify for government-sponsored loan programs. Students should check the "Applicant Guide" in 467 FSHN or the individual internship’s website to see if financial aid is available at a specific Dietetic Internship. Numerous scholarship and loan opportunities are available to help pay the costs of the supervised practice experience.

How can I improve my chances of being admitted to a supervised practice program?

A student has no guarantee of receiving a DI appointment, but there are several ways that students can make themselves more competitive for an appointment:

  • Investigate programs early to identify their admission criteria.
  • Maintain a grade point average above a 3.2.
  • Get dietetics related work or volunteer experience. (Hospital experience) college foodservice, camp foodservice, nursing home foodservice, and community nutrition programs are considered valuable.
  • Many other types of work experience can also be included.)
  • Participate in activities that demonstrate leadership (college/university clubs, sports, community service projects).
  • Apply to more than one program, but not an excessive number. (Successful applicants apply to an average of 4 to 6 programs.)
  • Be flexible and willing to relocate if necessary.

How can I get help with the Dietetic Internship application process?

In Spring Semester, the Food Science and Human Nutrition Department presents an Orientation program for junior dietetics students about dietetic internship planning.

The FSHN Department also offers a Supervised Practice Experience Planning Workshop during the fall term each year for all students who plan to apply for a DI appointment. Attendance is strongly encouraged at the Sophomore and/or Junior level but required at the Senior level. Attendance is taken, and dietetics faculty will not write a letter of recommendation for you if you have not attended. A handbook has been prepared for this workshop that describes the application process and provides examples of documents that will be required.

What is the timeline for applying to DIs?

Freshman/Sophomore Year

  • Maintain good grades.
  • Become active in organizations or community activities.
  • Join the Food Science and Human Nutrition Club (FSHN CLUB).
  • Join the American Dietetic Association (ADA). (Only students who are ADA members are eligible for ADA/FDA scholarships and awards).
  • Obtain dietetics-related work or volunteer experience.

Junior Year

  • Begin reviewing the ADA website and the Applicant Guide to Supervised Practice Experience in 467 FSHN to select internships that interest you. You can also check out a listing of programs on the ADA website.
  • Attend the junior orientation for Dietetic Internship Planning in spring semester.
  • Attend the Supervised Practice Experience Planning workshop in the fall semester.
  • Get to know your faculty advisor (you will want them to write a good letter of recommendation!)
  • Get dietetics-related volunteer or paid work experience.
  • Get involved in FSHN Club activities - run for office!
  • Join the Gainesville District Dietetic Association (GDDA).
  • Maintain good grades.

Senior Year

  • Call, email or write internships for additional information and application
  • Maintain good grades.
  • Get even more involved in the FSHN Club.
  • Continue membership in ADA
  • Get involved with the Gainesville District Dietetic Association
  • Take the GRE.
  • Attend Supervised Practice Experience Planning workshop in the Fall (mandatory for seniors in order to receive a letter of recommendation from faculty members).
  • Attend the Letter of Intent Writing Workshop (required) in the Fall semester
  • Select 3-8 internships that match your interests and qualifications.
  • Check deadlines and apply on time – usually mid-February
    Appointment match date – April
  • If you match in April, congratulations!!!
  • If not, then:
    • See faculty advisor for alternatives.
    • Keep trying to match in the post-match period from April to August (not all programs fill their classes during the match)
    • Continue to get experience if necessary.
    • Apply for internships again for the Fall match (deadline in September) for November appointment date (DI usually begins in January)

What's this computer matching thing all about?

Most supervised practice programs participate in the computer matching process. At the time of application, students register with D & D Digital Systems that ranks in order of preference the programs to which they are applying. The DI programs do the same, only they are ranking applicants. A computer matches programs to applicants based on those rankings. In November and April (depending on the application date), the student learns whether or not they received a match to an internship. Completion of the DPD does not guarantee a match to an internship.

Computer matching information are available from the Program Director prior to each application period. There is a fee for computer matching. Students should ask the Program Director for more information.

After completing a supervised practice program, what will I have to do next to meet the requirements to become a Registered Dietitian?

One must apply to take the Registration Examination for Dietitians. Candidates for the RD exam will take their exam on the computer at one of more than 200 computerized testing centers around the country. The exam can be scheduled following completion of the registration eligibility procedure, which is discussed in the supervised practice program. The exam is approximately three hours long and includes questions in food and nutrition, nutrition services, education and research, foodservice systems and management. Upon successful completion of the exam, you will be a Registered Dietitian.

What do I do if I don't receive a DI appointment?

When students submit an application to a Dietetic Internship program, they need to realize that the selection process is not a reflection on them personally. Students are competing for appointments, but they do not know against whom they are competing.

If a student does not receive an appointment in April, he or she should see the DPD Program Director about available internship programs that might have openings. Students should also allow their names to be published on the list of applicants who did not match - it can increase the chance of matching even after the computer match is over! It is still possible to obtain an internship in the post match period, although it does require an additional application process. If the student is still unsuccessful, the student should begin to reevaluate his or her credentials, identifying strengths and weaknesses (which we all have!) and begin to think about ways to better highlight strengths and improve areas that need strengthening.

  • Evaluate how you can improve your qualifications.
  • Look at additional Dietetic Internship programs.
  • Obtain a job related to nutrition/dietetics.
  • Reapply.

Students who didn't match should contact the DPD Program Director immediately to discuss the situation and plan for future matches. The dietetic advisors in the FSHN Department are interested in and concerned about students and can be very helpful in providing support.